Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas

Clementines, nuts, chocolates, little Christmas crackers. New toothbrushes.

And for the aunt, The Toymaker has some nice things to print out and fold into objects if you have or can get to a color printer.

............my Aunt used to do a lot of origami with her son thirty odd years ago! Great site!

For my Aunt I already have, or will get,

A magnetic notebook for the fridge
novelty animal shaped nailbrush
Photoframe for fridge (I will put pic of DS13 in it)
little pack of soap 'leaves' for handbag
pink light-up glass (very practical )
lottery ticket or scratchcard
stamps
A little grow-your-own Christmas tree kit (tiny pot and seeds)
chocolate ginger (her favourite)
socks/popsocks
novelty pocket size printed tissues
dishcloth bloomers (yes the knitting needles are coming out again)
nose aerobics (a pair of glasses with novelty items attached, like a basketball hoop and ball.......trust me, she'll like it)

That's as far as I've got.

For DS13, the tricky thing these days is finding little bits and pieces that will actually be of some use to him, but aren't too boring and practical.

For DS13's stocking -

videos (from charity shop, good condition)
little creature that swims in bath! (joke present)
novelty socks
Christmas novelty bubble bath
book of tricks
a few cans of his favourite soda. It's £1 a can ($1.89) and I usually refuse to buy it, so that's a real treat for him)
A book token

I'm not finding DS very easy as he gets older.

That sounds like a pretty big haul already.

What about a nail care kit? New toothbrushes usually go in my kids stockings. Subscription to a favorite magazine is always a hit.

I always try to put a few things in there that they use all the time & are about out of. . . DS likes Right Guard Xtreme Sport deodorant, so I put that in his stocking too.

For your aunt, does she write or send cards much? Would she use one of those packets of cards for various occasions? Small blank notecards. "Week at a glance" type calendar/appointment books for the upcoming year.

Whew! I've got to get busy. Today is the busiest shopping day of the year in the US. I don't have any plans to brave the crowd though!

Seems a lot more now I've written it down than it did just thinking about it.

For DS I would still like to get a few more things. For my Aunt I would like to get a couple of slightly more expensive things to put in. Maybe £5 each or so.

Ds' stocking will be one of my Dad's old football socks (they're very stretchy!). I still have to buy one for my Aunt.

We must have been posting at the same time, as I didn't see your post until I was checking mine.

I always put a toothbrush in DS13's stocking, but a couple of months ago a local store was closing down and I bought about twelve really cheap and they're now sitting in my bathroom cupboard. I can't really give him one of those, he knows they're there. Maybe a novelty one would be funny though, Superman or something would make him laugh. I sense a theme going on - he's already getting Superman pjs! Deodorant is a good idea too, there is a specific Adidas one that he likes. Believe it or not, it looks like he is going to need a razor soon too. Where did my baby go and who left this 6ft 1 man here?

I hadn't thought of cards or a calendar for my Aunt either, great ideas. I could do what I always do when I buy my Mum a calendar and write all the important family dates on beforehand.

I had a hard time finding little "diary" calendars in Bristol after the beginning of December, and certainly not year-round. Apparently English people, or at least Bristol people, never lose diaries and have to get new ones mid-year! So that would be a good present.

I use one of those every year (and no, I've never lost one! ) but I don't know many other people who use them. I know what you mean about not being able to find them though, Becky - I have just got next year's one and I managed to get it by buying a magazine which had it as a free gift. Maybe they are hard to find because not a lot of people here use them?

At least, it seemed to me, while I was living there, that when I made appointments with people, they took out their diaries to write them down as often as they do here. And I often saw big displays of them being sold at Christmas time, especially at bookshops, but no other time of year.

I have never ever managed to use a small dairy type calendar thing, so it isn't every English person who uses them. I have my big family wall calendar and that's it. Space for each member of the family - in previous years it's been Mary Engelbreit, but then DH found Winnie the Pooh in Marks and Spencer last year so that was perfect too.

I did just pick up a small calendar for myself and my SIL though - we need one with Chinese dates on occasionally, and those are only a dollar each.

Brilliant ideas. Does everyone put new toothbrushes in stockings?? It's almost more traditional than oranges! Yes, I do too. I also picked up some of those tiny breth strips for DH this year, or one could have a small bottle of mouthwash or Theramed in there to go with it, or have a change. I got DH a double sided business card holder too - one side for his and one for the ones he receives from others. Small sample sizes of any fancy toiletries can be fun. I used the fancy toiletries idea last year for the kids, like L'Oréal shampoos and stuff. Things I wouldn't normally splurge on, but which are basically things they need anyway. That's a Flylady special!

Certain kinds of bookmarks would work, preferably smaller clip on types in metal or card, or the types with magnets on that stick to pages. Batteries. Small mirrors for ladies' handbags. Coin purse. Stationery. Christmas ornaments (hanging or standing). Small pack of teabags (Liptons has lots of fun flavours in a 5pk, and I like to have a cranberry one around for Christmas). Tablet holder.

can you tell I'm rooting around my desk for ideas!

Novelty straw. Stickers/tattoos. Small candles/candle holder/candle decoration. Gas flame lighter for candles. Tins/boxes. Breath mints (Curiously Strong Mints for those who can get to M&S and afford it). Mini torch. Liqueurs or miniatures (adult stockings only!). Packets of seeds. Mini books. Hearts - soft toy style, soap, whatever. Stars - same applies. Car accessories - air freshener, map/guide book, fluffy steering wheel cover!. Computer accessories - mouse mat, spray cleaner or wipes, mini vacuum, new mouse, discs or boxes, CD wallet, printer ink. Phone accessories. Sports accessories or other hobby items - eg. lures for fishing, golf balls, chalk for pool cues, gloves or knee guards. Nail polish, lipstick, earrings.

I'm now scraping the bottom of the barrel and struggling...

But I'm giving myself some great ideas! I love these useful lists of things.

Actually I'm still coming up with things. "Just call me butter cos I'm on a roll" (stolen from Paige in 'Charmed').

I'm going now, and I'd better write down some of these ideas before I forget them! Maybe I should have one of tose little diary calendar things!

Kerri.

Little diary calendars, I mean. I use the computer.

I have three adult kids I have to buy for that live on their own and I was thinking about the Tide Pens to remove stains when they are out and spill something on themselves. I have one and they are great. Also I put a bottle of wine in their stockings and nuts. I also go to a country store and buy them pretzel dip and gourmet pretzels. I get them movie tickets, lottery ticket rub offs and I always get them a new kitchen towel and dish cloth. Just a few ideas in case anyone can use them.